Liverpool loistossa mutta puolustus horjuu Thierry Henry varoittaa mestaruushaaste voi kaatua virheisiin
Liverpool’s season has started with the kind of drama you’d usually find in a blockbuster movie. Four straight Premier League wins, a roller‑coaster Champions League opener against Atlético Madrid, and late winners that have Anfield buzzing with belief. With new boss Arne Slot overseeing the charge, the narrative feels fresh – yet somehow familiar, echoing Jürgen Klopp’s best days.
Not everyone is convinced, though. One critical voice belongs to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who, while acknowledging Liverpool’s attacking brilliance, has raised the alarm over their defense. Six goals conceded in just five competitive matches, he argues, is a dangerous sign if Liverpool want to seriously compete for the biggest trophies.
The season so far: winners in the nick of time
If you’ve been following closely, you’ll notice Liverpool aren’t just winning – they’re cutting it fine every single time. Their victories have often come in the final, breathless moments:
- Against Burnley, Salah struck from the spot in the 95th minute.
- Versus Newcastle, the winner came in the 100th minute.
- Arsenal were undone only by a late 83rd‑minute goal.
- Atlético felt heartbreak as Liverpool clinched it near the end in Madrid.
Fans love the spectacle, but the reliance on late dramatics makes you wonder: can a team really sustain this for an entire season?
So what’s happening at the back?
The defense, once a fortress, looks unsettled. Virgil van Dijk remains imposing, but constant centre‑back changes have weakened the cohesion. Meanwhile, the marauding full‑backs, brilliant in attack, often leave themselves exposed. Slot’s tweaks to pressing and buildup play haven’t fully addressed the imbalance, meaning opponents regularly find cracks to exploit.
A reminder from history
Just a few years ago, balance was Liverpool’s best weapon. Their 2018–19 Champions League campaign paired high‑octane attacking football with defensive stability – conceding only five goals in the group stage. Compare that to now: six goals conceded already in five matches. Against elite competition like Manchester City, Bayern, or Real Madrid, those small margins can spell disaster in knockout football.
Should fans really be worried?
It’s not all doom and gloom. Liverpool are top of the Premier League, their strikers are in sparkling form, and the mood around the camp is buoyant. But football isn’t only about momentum – it’s about sustainability. If too many results come down to last‑ditch moments, the grind of the season will eventually test both legs and luck.
The road ahead
Fixtures are about to pile up, and mistakes in defense may cost more dearly. Slot’s Liverpool can thrill, but if the goals against column keeps climbing, Henry’s warning may prove prophetic. To turn this exhilarating start into genuine silverware contention, the team needs to rediscover the discipline that once defined their success.
Alternative headlines
- “Thierry Henry warns Liverpool: this defense won’t win Europe”
- “Liverpool’s attack dazzles – but the goals they’re conceding raise alarms”
- “Late drama fuels Liverpool’s run – but is it sustainable?”
What do you think – are these defensive lapses just early‑season teething problems under Arne Slot, or a deeper issue that could derail Liverpool’s ambitions?